Birmingham, AL – A longtime Alabama lobbyist has pleaded guilty to paying thousands of dollars in bribes to Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford.
Al LaPierre admitted being the middleman Thursday in a conspiracy to route money to Langford from Montgomery investment banker Bill Blount. Blount's firm received millions of dollars in work from the Jefferson County Commission while Langford was a member.
Langford is accused of accepting more than $230,000 in bribes in exchange for funneling business to Blount's company. Langford and Blount pleaded not guilty, and their trial is set for Aug. 31.
LaPierre agreed to help prosecutors in a plea deal, and the government will recommend a reduced sentence of four years in prison if he does.
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